Barbershop: The Next Cut trailer gets serious about life in Chicago

The first Barbershop movie in 12 years is tackling more issues than you might expect. As explored in the new trailer, The Next Cut, the third film in the comedy series, addresses gang violence in the city of Chicago.

When EW talked with director Malcolm D. Lee for the first look at the movie, he shared a fascinating connection he saw to movie history.

“In a lot of ways, when I was reading the script and doing research for the movie and figuring out my angle on it, it really reminded me a lot of Boyz n the Hood,” Lee said. “It’s ironic that Ice Cube is in the Furious Styles role that Laurence Fishburne played back in the day. It was interesting to have that parallel. That’s the big emotional spine of the movie.”

Barbershop: The Next Cut opens in theaters on April 15.